Published 6:30 am, Thursday, January 15, 2004

Smith was hired Wednesday as the Bears' head coach, agreeing to a four-year deal. He replaces Dick Jauron, fired Dec. 29.

Smith will be introduced at a news conference today. He was in St. Louis on Wednesday and not available for comment.

"There's a position right for everyone," he said Tuesday when he came to Halas Hall for his second interview. "And I'm hoping this position is what is right for me."

The Bears hope so, too. They have had just one winning season in the last eight, and haven't won a playoff game since 1995. Smith will be the team's third coach in six years -- fourth if you count that botched attempt to hire Dave McGinnis in 1999.

But Smith, 45, is confident he can make the Bears winners again.

Smith was the defensive coordinator in St. Louis the past three seasons.

Smith also was a college coach for 13 years. He began his career in 1980 in Texas at his alma mater, Big Sandy High School, after playing defensive back at Tulsa.

Smith is the first black head coach in Bears history. He's also the fifth black head coach in the league. There have never been more than three black head coaches in a season before.

Bills hope 13 a lucky number

Mularkey was hired as the 13th coach in franchise history, his first head coaching job after 10 years as an assistant. He will be officially introduced as coach of the Bills at a news conference this afternoon.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Both Mularkey and president and general manager Tom Donahoe were unavailable for comment until the news conference.

At 42, Mularkey will be one of the youngest head coaches in the NFL. He spent the last three years as Pittsburgh's offensive coordinator.

Linebacker Harry Carson and general manager George Young are automatic finalists because of their high finishes last year.

Darling entering draft

-- Washington State receiver
Devard Darling
will skip his senior season to enter the NFL draft.

Darling, who transferred to Washington State from Florida State after his freshman year, caught 50 passes for 830 yards and seven touchdowns this season.

A highly touted high school player from Fort Bend Austin, Darling transferred after Florida State refused to clear him medically following the death of his identical twin, Devaughn, during an offseason workout in February 2001.

Garcia arrested

-- San Francisco 49ers quarterback
Jeff Garcia
was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving early Wednesday, and spent the night in jail.